Heh. I suspected that might be the case. Still keeping an eye on the thread, of course, since I'm always open to new info and ideas.
My Alta bushings are being pressed into brackets for me by Way motor works this week at a 50/50 attitude so to speak. Ryephile mentioned doing them that way and I like the idea so I'll see how it work's out. ScottinBend love's his and his club has had good stuff to say about them. I had started out thinking Poweflex but after seeing the video, that and input from Alta PSRS users changed my mind. I need to fix my MINI now, can't wait on something else in development.
Just FYI... the video is for a completely different design than the Powerflex. You can't say you can't say "I don't like the milk from the bull, so I went with the dairy cow"
You stated "I had started out thinking Poweflex but after seeing the video"... The video was the bavauto bushing witch is 100% solid. The powerflex and mini-madness bushing are multiple pieces. That would be like comparing the alta vs. a solid piece of aluminum. Make sense now? You can't compare something if they are not the same design/function.
But the video overstates the problem So what it takes 125 lbs or whatever to go to full deflection. That's what, 5%-10% of the weight that it takes to go to full deflection with stock springs? Even less with stiffer aftermarket ones.... It's much less of a deal than the video makes it out to be. Matt
5000+ Miles on my LCA Powerflex bushings and I'm still loving them. I did the Powerflex stock sway bar and steering rack bushings at the same time too. :aureola: Jeremy
That's oK , Alta PSRS, this time Poweflex or some yet to be released bushing next time. Ah wait.. no.. uM,, never mind thats
Norm, i'll probably get the powerflex bushings eventually. i've only got about 30k on my car, so the stockers should be fine for now. theoretically.
mine were shot at about that mileage... changed them at 32k and was blown away by the handling all over again new bushings even oem (what i got) make a huge difference from worn ones ^some track / autoX use tho
If they're craking... they are more shot than you think. This really is one of the worst parts of the Mini suspension. Matt
I can add another $.02 to the discussion. I am not a frequent poster, but I read most everything. The how-to-do-it for installing the PSRS on the R56 that Chad wrote up, is illustrated on my car. We did the install ("we" as in, Chad did the install, I turned wrenches and assisted where I could, staying out of the way when I needed to). That was done in the middle of winter in Detroit in early 2008. This was before anyone knew about welding the sleeves on (heck, it was Chad's first R56 install). 20K miles later, several track days, lots of daily driving including some long trips, they are still doing fine. The sleeves have stayed put, and I really enjoy the benefits of a much more fun to drive car. Hard braking at the end of long straights no longer brings the side-to-side dance that even brand new OEM bushings demonstrate. I periodically crawl under the car when I am changing brake pads, changing wheels, whatever, and check the set screws -- I have only once found one even slightly loose -- blue loctite continues to do its job. All this is on a car that lives outside 100% of the time, through Ohio winters, with the demon salt. In fact, the day I drove up to Detroit, they were enjoying a nasty winter storm and it continued most of my 5 hour trip back home. Nothing like a baptism under fire -- er... cold and salt. Sure there are some noises in the suspension on my car, but I can attribute none of them to the PSRS. I will replace them if they ever show the wear Dr Mike has seen. Oh, and one more thing --- another local R56 MCS owner wants to install the PSRS in his car. He checked around for someone to install them -- I absolutely did not volunteer (remember, I've seen this job as well as assisted my neighbor when he installed BAV Auto ones in his R53) -- I don't have the garage space to let a car sit for a day while we find someone to press them in. He finally checked with our dealer. He (and I) was astonished when they said they would install the PSRS for free, as his car had sufficient miles to mean the stock ones needed replacing. Let me clarify that the customer will supply the PSRS, but the dealer will install them for no labor charge -- charging it to warranty work!!!! It might be worthwhile to check with your dealer if your car is in the 35K mile or higher and still under warranty! Paul
